Hey all, Sam here.
Welcome to the first Manga Monday post of 2023! Okay, let’s see if I can keep these posts rolling. I know I have plenty that are on a to-do list to write up, but it’s just a matter of sitting down and getting them drafted up.
Oh, and as a reminder, my whole list of every manga reviewed by me on this blog can be found here.
I’ll be adding this post to the list soon, and will try to keep it updated with each post I make.
So far this year I’m feeling pretty good. I read three books yesterday, which is a great way to start 2023. And yes, two of those were manga volumes, but that still counts. I have a plan for keeping this blog going, and now I just need to stick to it. And I’m feeling the urge to write, to create, to do. It’s great.
All right, let’s jump into this review.
What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks”? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?
Hawks and the Safety Commission have managed to get their hands on some top secret information. A big villain attack is coming, and the heroes must do all they can to prepare. As part of these preparations, Eraser Head and Present Mic pay a visit to the prison, while Midoriya, Bakugo and Todoroki begin training under Endeavor in order to become fighters who can stand on their own. But in the meantime, the boys will have to survive a dinner party at the Todoroki household!
My Thoughts
Rating: 5 stars
Based on my Goodreads, I read this in August 2021, so that was a little while ago. Thankfully I also watched this arc for the anime, so I can still remember it decently well.
This was such an intense and emotional time in the lead up to the big multi-volume villain attack/war arc. Aizawa AKA Eraser Head is one of my favorite characters, has been for a vast majority of this series, and what he and Mic had to go through emotionally and psychologically with that prison visit…well, it was a lot.
And then we counter that whole situation with Deku, Bakugo, and Todoroki beginning their tutelage with Endeavor and his hero agency. So we have some of the student heroes we’ve been following through the series, and they’re trying to learn more and get stronger, and obviously training with the Number One hero helps with that goal. But there’s obviously issues there…because Todoroki and his father haven’t had the best relationship.
Basically this was a volume of interpersonal connection and drama more than anything, but I don’t expect hero stories to be all action all the time. I like these down times and the interactions because it gives more weight to the action moments.
Also, okay, I know there is still a large group of folks out there who still don’t like Endeavor, who think that his actions are irredeemable and terrible…and yes, what he did in the past was not great. It was pretty terrible in fact, being so awful to his wife and his children, especially if they didn’t act the way he wanted or didn’t turn out the way he wanted. But, I feel like we’re starting to see Endeavor’s redemption arc here. He’s trying to do better. He’s trying to make amends. Yes, I definitely think he still has a long ways to go, but I can see him trying, and that’s more than can be said for some. I’m also really hoping that he doesn’t die the moment he truly achieves redemption with his family. I despise that trope.
Anyway, this was a solid volume in the story.
All right, that is all from me for today. Thank you so much for stopping by, and I will be back soon with more geeky content.
Free State of Geek 